ACC Football: Predictions for Every Week Eight Game

Duke vs Florida State headlines the ACC slate in week eight

Jackson Caudell | Oct 16, 2023

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We are now in mid-October for the college football season and in the ACC, the picture is becoming clearer by the week.

Louisville fell from the ranks of the unbeaten in the ACC after an upset loss against Pitt. Their loss meant that there were just three unbeaten teams left in conference play and this weekend, two of those teams meet on the field.

Duke travels to Tallahassee to face Florida State in one of the biggest ACC games of the year, but the biggest question is going to be around Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard and his health. Duke was able to beat NC State last week without Leonard, but FSU is a far more formidable opponent.

The other big game of the week in the ACC is Clemson vs Miami. Miami is trying to avoid a three-game losing streak, while the Tigers are trying to earn their signature win of the year.

Note: I will have a full breakdown and preview of Boston College vs Georgia Tech later this week.

I had my worst week of the season last week, going 2-3 and falling to 49-12 this season.

So who wins each ACC game this week?

1. Pitt at Wake Forest (-1) (3:30 p.m. ACC Network)

Pitt pulled off one of the biggest upsets of week seven last week by beating Louisville and they will go on the road and try to get their third win of the season. Wake Forest is reeling right now, losing three straight, including their most recent loss to Virginia Tech. The Demon Deacons offense does not look to be in sync and the defense was not able to contain Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones last week. I think Pitt has the momentum and Wake has yet to find it and the Panthers will pick up their second straight win of the season.

Final Score: Pitt 24, Wake Forest 20

2. Virginia at No. 10 North Carolina (-23.5) (6:30 p.m. CW Network)

North Carolina is coming off of a big win over Miami and will need to remain focused against Virginia this week. The Cavaliers are 1-5 this season and coming off of a bye week and their best hope is that the Tar Heels are still feeling good after their win over Miami. With the addition of Tez Walker to the offense, the Tar Heels look to have one of the nation's best and the running game is getting going as well with Omarion Hampton. UNC should be considered a dark horse for the playoff and they will get an easy win over UVA this weekend.

Final Score: North Carolina 48, Virginia 14

3. No. 16 Duke at No. 4 Florida State (-13.5) (7:30 p.m. ABC)

Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis vs Georgia Tech — Florida State faces Duke on Saturday / Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

All of the talk about this game this week will be around Leonard and if he is going to get the start. If Leonard is able to play and be effective, then I think Duke has a slight chance at an upset in this game. If not, it is hard to find reasons to think Duke will stay in this one on the road. Florida State is clicking right now and Keon Coleman is coming off perhaps the best game of his career at FSU. I still think Florida State wins either way, but hopefully Leonard comes back healthy in one of the biggest games of the weekend.

Final Score: Florida State 34, Duke 17

4. Clemson (-3) at Miami (8:00 p.m. ACC Network)

This is a hard game to predict. On one hand, I think both of them are evenly matched and the game is a toss-up. On the other hand, Miami has had a tendency to quit on the season after a couple of losses and after losing to Georgia Tech and North Carolina, you have to wonder if the downhill spiral will continue for the Hurricanes. Clemson has owned Miami in recent years, with most of the games not being competitive. The Tigers don't have a win over a notable opponent this year but have been competitive in losses to Duke and Florida State. My gut says go with Clemson this week and I think they are the safer pick.

Final Score: Clemson 28, Miami 17

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